How To Install Windows XP Mode in Windows 7

Windows XP Mode is freely available for Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise users. It allows you to run legacy applications inside a Windows XP virtual machine running in the background. Windows XP Mode was primarily designed to help businesses move from Windows XP to Windows 7. Almost all programs that are compatible with Windows Vista and a majority of Windows XP programs, run well in Windows 7. But, if a program doesn’t run properly even after trying the Program Compatibility troubleshooter, you can run the program in Windows XP Mode.

Windows XP Mode runs in a separate window on the Windows 7 desktop, much like a program, except it’s a fully functional version of Windows XP. When you install a program in Windows XP Mode, the program appears in both the Windows XP Mode list of programs and in the Windows 7 list of programs, so you can open the program directly from Windows 7. Do note that it isn’t optimized for graphic-intensive programs such as 3D games or for programs with hardware requirements such as TV tuners.

As of April 8, 2014, Microsoft stopped technical support for Windows XP and Windows XP Mode. This includes stopping of security updates for Windows XP and Windows XP Mode. If you want to continue using Windows XP or Windows XP Mode on Windows 7, Microsoft recommends that you only use it offline after disconnecting from the Internet. Learn more about Windows XP end of support.

The most important hardware requirement for using Windows XP mode is a computer with a processor that supports hardware-assisted virtualization such as AMD-V, Intel-VT or VIA VT. Microsoft has a helpful tool that will detect if your hardware is compatible called the HAV Detection Tool. On some computers the feature may be turned off in the BIOS, click here for instructions on how to turn it on.

Update You can now install Windows XP Mode on PCs without HAV support, click here for details.

Setting up and Using Windows XP Mode

First, you need download Windows XP Mode from the official download page. Select the appropriate Windows XP Mode from the list. The N edition of Windows XP Mode lacks Windows Media player for compliance with a European Union settlement. You can download a locallized version of Windows XP Mode using the language drop-down list.

Tip! To find out whether you have a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 7, click on the Start button, then right-click on Computer, and then click on Properties. The information about the version that you are using appears under System, next to the System type. You can also use the shortcut key Windows Key + Pause Break to open System Properties window.

You also need to download Windows Virtual PC from here. Based on the Windows 7 edition (32-bit or 64-bit) installed on your computer, download the appropriate Windows Virtual PC package (Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu or Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu).

After completing download of both Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC, install Windows Virtual PC first. You may need to restart your Windows 7 PC before you can install Windows XP Mode. After the reboot, click on the Start Menu and navigate through All Programs, Windows Virtual PC and select Windows XP Mode to begin configuring XP Mode.

Accept the license terms and then click on Next.

Next, you will need to specify the password for the local account XPMuser that runs in the Windows XP virtual machine. Type in a password in both text-boxes and click Next.

Windows XP Mode runs a fully functional Windows XP virtual machine in the background so it must be patched every month as new security updates are released to keep applications running in the VM protected. The best way to do this is by turning on Automatic Updates. Check Help protect my computer by turning on Automatic Updates now and click Next.

Now click on Start Setup. Setup will now run and configure the Windows XP virtual machine. This will take a few minutes.

After the setup is completed, Windows XP virtual machine will be displayed. At this point install any applications in the XP Virtual Machine like you normally install applications.

After the program’s setup is completed, you will see the programs icons in the Windows 7 Start Menu under All Programs, Windows Virtual PC and finally Windows XP Mode applications.

Just click on one of the shortcuts and the application will load in just like a locally installed app.

If you ever want to service or install more application in the XP Virtual Machine just click on the Start Menu and navigate through All Programs, Windows Virtual PC and select Windows XP Mode. That will start the XP virtual machine in desktop mode.

Well, let me share one more thing. One reason I wanted XP mode was to be able to retest Dragon naturally speaking 9, because it does not run under W7 64 bit. But when I tried to install it gave me an error message telling that my CPU was not fast enough ( core 2 duo E8400, so I know it fast enough). After searching I found a mod you can do which give more cpu time to the virtual machine and I was able to install and run Naturally speaking. You have to had this line to the option file : true
Here the link.http://www.sevenforums.com/virtualization/23302-kinda-slow.html